News Release

Funding Announcement Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP)

Helping People Help the Land

01.20.2012Funding Announcement: Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) Up to $15 million in financial assistance (FA) funds or $2 million in technical assistance (TA) funds are available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the FY 2012 General Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) for wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement and wildlife habitat improvement on eligible lands. Funds are available nationwide to eligible participants through approved partnership projects.

General WREP is a component of NRCS’ Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Through WREP, NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to target and leverage resources to carry out high-priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities and improve wildlife habitat on eligible lands. All projects funded through WREP must meet all WRP eligibility and program requirements. To find out more about WRP or WREP eligibility and program requirements, click here.

Who are eligible partners?

Only state and local units of government, Indian Tribes, and nongovernmental organizations are eligible to submit a proposal and enter into agreements with NRCS.

How does an individual landowner participate in WREP?

Individual landowners may not submit WREP proposals through the project submission process. However, once a WREP project with a state or local unit of government, Indian Tribe, or nongovernmental organization has been approved and announced, eligible landowners may apply to participate in the approved WREP project through their local NRCS office.

Are partners required to provide a financial match?

WREP partners are required to contribute financial or technical assistance match. For more information on the financial or technical assistance match click here.

What is the approved partner’s role in WREP? As part of the agreement, approved partners may also help facilitate the submission of landowner applications, provide additional technical or financial assistance to landowners, and provide other resources as defined in the agreement.

Why would a partner want to participate in WREP?

Involvement in wetland restorations in high priority areas.

Ability to cost-share restoration or enhancement components beyond those required by NRCS.

Ability to participate in management or monitoring of selected project locations.

Commitment to EqualityUSDA believes every farmer and rancher should be treated equally and fairly, and we are committed to resolving all cases involving allegations of past discrimination by individuals.

Referral Guide for USDA Settlements and Claims Adjudication Process

Women and Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Claims Adjudication Process If you believe that USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because you are a female or because you are Hispanic, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. To request a claims package by telephone, call 1-888-508-4429. To request a claims package online, please visit www.farmerclaims.gov

Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack) If you are a Native American who was denied a farm loan or loan servicing by the USDA between January 1, 1981, and November 24, 1999, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To request a claims package by telephone, call: 1-888-233-5506. To request a claims package online, or for more information, please visit: www.indianfarmclass.com

African American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Pigford II) If you are an African American farmer (a) who submitted a request to file a late claim on or between October 13, 1999, and June 18, 2008, under the 1999 USDA settlement in the earlier class action known as Pigford v. Glickman ("Pigford") and (b) who did not receive a merits determination on your discrimination claim, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To hear information by telephone, call 1-866-950-5547 or 1-866-472-7826. To find information online, please visit: www.blackfarmercase.com

To find out more about this conservation opportunity and more, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Office Locator